Betsy Hamilton

Betsy Hamilton, a 46-year resident of Bryan, Texas left her earthly bounds peacefully at her home in Bryan on March 7, 2024 surrounded by her family.  She was born Betsy Lillian Preston, February 26, 1944 to John Maxwell Preston and Billie Louise (Jarrell) Preston in El Paso, Texas at Fort Bliss Medical Center where her father was stationed during World War II.

Shortly after birth her family returned to their hometown of Childress, Texas where her father had a law practice.  In 1948 the family moved to Pecos, Texas where he opened a new law office.  Betsy attended school with the same classmates from 1st through 12th grade where she made many dear friends during those years and continued those friendships throughout her life.  In 1962, Betsy married her high school sweetheart Donny Leon Hamilton.  The next 10 years would be devoted to Betsy supporting Donny as he completed his education earning two degrees.  Betsy and Donny moved to Bryan in 1978, where she would spend the rest of her life cherishing the role of being a wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend.  Betsy was a significant force in all who she shared time with and she left a lasting impression on all those she met.  

Betsy was employed at the Texas A&M Financial Aid Office, then at the Texas Transportation Institute where she retired.  She was a proud member of the William Scott Chapter of the Daughter’s of the American Revolution, the Robert Henry Chapter of the Daughter’s of the Texas Republic, and was a member of the Women’s Club of Bryan.  Over the years Betsy spent countless hours planning and hosting family outings.  She loved seeing movies, going out to eat, organizing shopping trips, and pretty much just having fun being Betsy. She was a voracious reader and loved all things pop culture.  Most notably was her devotion and passion to watching sports, especially with her son John.  They spent very special times watching and attending games of their favorite teams as the years passed.

Betsy was a doting mother and grandmother to her children and grandchildren, as she considered them to be one of the greatest experiences in her life. Her first great-grandchild, Harrison Gandhi, was born just three days before her 80th birthday. She sparkled at seeing his photographs and was eagerly looking forward to holding him.  

Betsy is survived by her loving husband of 61 years, Donny Hamilton; daughter, Amy Hamilton-Foster and her husband, Kyle; son John Hamilton and his wife, Alisa; grandchildren, Molly Foster Howell and her husband Michael, Emma Foster Gandhi and her husband Hardik (Harry); Jace Hamilton and Quinlan Hamilton; great grandson Harrison Gandhi.  Betsy is also survived by her three sisters, Sally Preston of Gainesville, Texas, Mary Carper and Anne Preston, of Bryan, Texas. She was preceded in death by her parents, and two granddaughters, Kathryn Foster and Hannah Foster. 

In lieu of funeral services, Betsy chose to support medical research by participating in the Willed Body Program with the Texas A&M University School of Medicine.  Betsy was not only generous to her family but also to strangers and multiple organizations and causes.  It was common for Betsy to anonymously pay for first responders and military personnel’s meals and she was always eager to contribute to charities in need.  If you wish to further recognize Betsy’s life, the family asks that you donate to a charity or organization that is dear to you. The family would like to extend their thanks for the support and skilled nursing received from the Manor and Crestview in Bryan, the emergency medical services of the Bryan Fire Department (especially Fire Station 5), Comfort Keepers, and the Acara Hospice team.